While the 18th and 19th centuries saw legendary venues like Paris’s Café de La Régence host the greatest masters of the era, the spirit of “café chess” remains alive and well today. For thousands of enthusiasts who prefer the relaxed atmosphere of a local bar over formal federated clubs, the VII Bar and Café Chess League of Salamanca offers the perfect competitive outlet.
This year, seven iconic local establishments are stepping up to the board:
- Alcaraván
- Irish Corner
- Macondo
- Pakipalla
- La Polémica
- Monumental
- La Isla
The league officially began the week of May 11, 2026. The competition follows a single-round-robin system where each team faces every other team once.
Games are played at a rapid pace of 30 minutes per player, plus a 5-second increment per move. Teams earn 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss.
Each team fields 6 players per match, with a strong recommendation that at least 2 are amateur players to keep the spirit of the league inclusive. In a nod to its community-focused nature, teams can continue to add new players even after the competition has started.
A Community-Driven Event
Matches are held weekly at the home venue of one of the competing teams, with captains coordinating the specific day and time. Participation for fans is entirely free, emphasizing the league’s goal of bringing chess to the people of Salamanca.
The competition is scheduled to run through late June, with the final round (Round 7) taking place during the week of June 22. Fans and players can follow the latest standings and results on the official website: www.salamancaajedrez.com.
